10-Lb Penalty Dick Francis,
Publisher: Pan MacMillan
ISBN: 0330370014
Edition: Paperback; 1998-10-31
Summary:
One of the most impressive aspects of Dick Francis's long and
celebrated career (he's won three Edgar Awards, the Silver Dagger,
the Gold Dagger, a Cartier Diamond Dagger, and was named the 1996
Mystery Writers of America Grand Master) is the freshness that he
brings to each of his novels. Though every one of his 30-plus works
of fiction has drawn from some aspect of the world of horses, Francis
turns this constraint into a powerful source of inspiration. In 10
Lb. Penalty Francis adds several new arrows to his quiver. His
protagonist, Ben Juliard, narrates the tale in a vivid first person
that begins in his insecure late teens instead of the settled middle
age of the usual Francis hero. Also, Ben's relationship with horses
is more of a fading dream than an active reality. The book begins
with Ben's expulsion from Vivian Durridge's stables; he's removed
with a false accusation of glue sniffing. But as Ben soon discovers,
it is, in fact, his powerful father's machinations that are behind
his ill fortunes. The elder Juliard is "standing for Parliament," and
the bachelor candidate needs his son by his side for a year of
campaigning if he hopes to win. Ben accedes to his father's wishes.
He almost always has, but he soon finds that his "gap year"--his year
before entering college--is going to be a nightmare. Orinda Nagle,
the widow of the recently deceased Hoopwestern MP, and her companion,
Alderney Wyvern, resist George's campaign from the start. Then, Usher
Rudd, a muckraking journalist, turns his vitriol to George. When an
attempt is made on George's life, he and his son find themselves
inside a vigorous tale of suspense that takes several narrative years
to sort out. Francis's lucid prose is the driving force in this
political mystery, and the realistic rendering of the complicated
father-son relationship between George and Ben adds a sophistication
and weight that marks the author's best fiction. --Patrick O'Kelley
Book Details:
Edition Info: Paperback; 1998-10-31
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